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Characterization of Irradiation Effects in Metallic Alloys for Fusion and Fission Reactors


EMSL Project ID
49619

Abstract

Structural materials used in current light water reactors and future fusion reactors all face a common problem: radiation induced changes at the nanometer level that require advanced characterization techniques to probe these changes. Unfortunately, preparing samples from neutron irradiated materials can be challenging if working with full size samples for transmission electron microscopy due to the high residual radioactivity of the samples. Not only does this pose an ALARA problem for the staff preparing such samples, but it also creates issues with the various detectors present on electron microscopes. The strong gamma fields generated during radioactive decay can impact the longevity of the detectors, and create enormous backgrounds that produce spectral artefacts. One method of sample preparation that overcomes these issues is the use of focused ion beam, which can effectively produce free release samples that remove the issues with the radioactivity. Coupled with the ability to produce site specific samples from known locations within the bulk sample, this technique has become indespensible for working with highly radioactive materials.

Project Details

Start Date
2016-10-18
End Date
2017-09-30
Status
Closed

Team

Principal Investigator

Danny Edwards
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Team Members

Jing Wang
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Karen Kruska
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Alan Schemer-Kohrn
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory